Categories:

My Blog

Posts for: February, 2018

Having a family can be hectic at times; finding a family dentist shouldn’t be.

Wow, is the calendar filling up fast. It’s amazing how quick we are to pencil play dates, get-togethers, parties, appointments and the like. We always feel the need to stay busy. Of course, you should never be so busy that you forget to visit our Nashua, NH, family dentists Dr. Salvatore Guerriero and Dr. Salvatore Colletta.

Care the Whole Family Can Depend On

Our Nashua, NH, dentist can handle the needs of the whole family, from your child’s first dental visit to your 90-year-old parent’s routine cleaning. Turning to a family dentist means individualized, tailored care depending on your own needs.

Your age certainly plays a factor in the kind of dental care you receive, so wouldn’t it be better turning to a family dentist who understands the specific and unique care you need? A child might require additional preventive measures like dental sealants, fluoride treatments or an orthodontic consultation, while teens may want to chat about custom athletic mouthguards, clear orthodontic treatment options or removing wisdom teeth.

Adults, on the other hand, may require gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, teeth whitening or other cosmetic dental services. As we get older, the health of our teeth and gums begins to change. We are prone to problems like dry mouth and tooth loss, and having a family dentist by your side means that these issues can most likely be prevented with proper preventive care.

Convenience When You Need it Most

We know that no one relishes the idea of adding yet another appointment to the schedule; however, choosing a family dentist means that every member of your family could get routine dental cleanings on the same day. This saves you multiple trips and possibly money, too (getting preventive dentistry now could protect your smile from problems in the future). Plus, if you or your child develop a dental emergency, you know we are just a phone call or quick drive away.

If you are looking for a family dentist in Nashua, NH, to tend to the ever-growing dental needs of your family then look no further than Nashua Smile Makers. Our dental team is here to make sure you get the care you need. Call us today.

We often associate orthodontics with moving several teeth on the upper or lower arches (or both) with braces or clear aligners. But not all patients require a major endeavor — sometimes only one or a few teeth need to be moved, and not very far.

A slight gap between the two upper front teeth is one type of situation that only requires minor tooth movement: just a few teeth need to be moved and usually just a millimeter or two. The appliances needed to achieve this are also relatively simple in design: removable retainers or small scale fixed braces with small springs or elastics that place pressure against the teeth. The process may also only take a few months rather than two years as with major tooth movement.

Preparing for the procedure, though, must be undertaken with great care. We need to first determine if moving the teeth even slightly could affect the bite with the opposite teeth. We must also ensure the roots of the teeth intended for movement are in good position for allowing the space to be closed.

We must then consider the other supporting structures for the teeth. It’s important for gums and bone to be healthy — if not, treating any found disease may be necessary first before beginning orthodontics. And, if the gap between the two upper teeth was created by an abnormally large frenum, the small strip of tissue connecting the lip to the upper gum, it may be necessary to remove it before tooth movement can begin to ensure the closed gap stays closed.

Like any other orthodontic treatment, minor tooth movement first requires a thorough examination with x-ray imaging to determine the exact tooth position, bite issues and the surrounding gum and bone health. We can then be reasonably certain if this straightforward procedure is right for you, and could help you obtain a more attractive smile.

The red, scaly rash suddenly appearing on your face doesn’t cause you much physical discomfort, but it’s still embarrassing. And to make matters worse treating it as you would other skin ailments seems to make it worse.

Your ailment might be a particular skin condition known as peri-oral dermatitis. Although its overall occurrence is fairly low (1% or less of the population worldwide) it seems to be more prevalent in industrialized countries like the United States, predominantly among women ages 20-45.

Peri-oral dermatitis can appear on the skin as a rash of small red bumps, pimples or blisters. You usually don’t feel anything but some patients can have occasional stinging, itching or burning sensations. It’s often misidentified as other types of skin rashes, which can be an issue when it comes to treatment.

Steroid-based ointments that work well with other skin ailments could have the opposite effect with peri-oral dermatitis. If you’re using that kind of cream out of your medicine cabinet, your rash may look better initially because the steroid constricts the tiny blood vessels in the skin. But the reduction in redness won’t last as the steroid tends to suppress the skin’s natural healing capacity with continued use.

The best treatment for peri-oral dermatitis is to first stop using any topical steroid ointments, including other-the-counter hydrocortisone, and any other medications, lotions or creams on it. Instead, wash your skin with a mild soap. Although the rash may flare up initially, it should begin to subside after a few days.

A physician can further treat it with antibiotic lotions typically containing Clindamycin or Metronidazole, or a non-prescription, anti-itch lotion for a less severe case. For many this clears up the condition long-term, but there’s always the possibility of relapse. A repeat of this treatment is usually effective.

Tell your dentist if you have recurring bouts of a rash that match these descriptions. More than likely you’ll be referred to a dermatologist for treatment. With the right attention—and avoiding the wrong treatment ointment—you’ll be able to say goodbye to this annoying and embarrassing rash.